Mineral Resources

The course will address the following:

• mineral resource issues in the global context,
• the main types of metal deposits, their formation process and mining,
• Environmental impacts related to mining.

The objective of the practical work will be to become familiar with the main metalliferous minerals (macroscopic observations and use of metallographic microscopes).

A field day will complete the training by studying examples of metal deposits.

Hourly volumes:

CM : 9h

TP : 12h

Field : 6h

Introduction to the concepts of mineral resources, mineral and metal deposits, and the mineralogy of non-silicate species. Awareness of the environmental impacts of mining

EU Minerals and rocks

Recommended prerequisites:

EU The Earth and its resources

UE Structural geology

Continuous assessment (evaluations of practical work, field work and courses).

Synthetic description of the concepts covered in CM

• Global context and the challenge of mineral and metal resources in the energy transition.
• The main types of metalliferous deposits: magmatic, hydrothermal and sedimentary.
• Environmental impacts of mineral resource development.

Synthetic description of the practical sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• Metallic minerals: native, halides, sulfides (macroscopy and microscopy).
• Metallic minerals: oxy-hydroxides, carbonates, silicates (macroscopy and microscopy).
• Description of the themes/manipulations addressed during your field trip(s) and details of the destinations/sites
• Allochthonous bauxite deposit.
• Barite, fluorite and copper sulphide/sulphate deposit.

Knowledge of metallotects and the main mineralizing processes in relation to the major geological and geodynamic contexts.

Knowledge and recognition of minerals and metal deposits